A Mount Union team that led the nation in scoring turned on its defense to post the first shutout in a Stagg Bowl since in 35 years by blanking defending national champions and top ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor 12-0 in the Stagg Bowl for the school's record 13th national title.
The Purple Raiders explosive offense averaged 50.5 points per game behind sophomore quarterback D'Angelo Fulford, who was the nation's top rated passer and also had a nation's best 50 touchdown passes as he completed 69-percent of his passes for 3,109 yards. His top target was All-American sophomore Justin Hill, who led the nation with 20 touchdown catches as he hauled in 54 catches for 1,202 yards. On the ground, Mount Union had two 1,000-yard running backs for the first time since 2005 in junior Jawanza Evans-Morris and freshman Josh Petruccelli while paving the way was an offensive line that allowed only 20 sacks all season led by All-American senior Cole Parrish.
Mount Union's defense was among the nation's best as the unit allowed opponents just 245.3 yards per game, 80 rushing yards per game with 50 sacks and 24 interceptions. The Raiders had a school record seven defensive touchdowns all on interceptions returns. Junior linebacker Danny Robinson led the team with 101 tackles, All-American senior lineman Elijah Berry had 16.5 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks while junior defensive back Louis Berry had seven interceptions.Â
Vince Kehres finished his fifth season as head coach and his 70 wins are the most for a college football coach in five seasons. Â Kehres has been a part of 12 of the Raiders 13 titles as either a player, assistant coach or head coach.
